This one makes a lot of sense, given Sogard’s lack of production before 2017 mixed with Villar being responsible for the deepest hole in the Brewers’ lineup. Kinsler also isn’t in a situation like Justin Verlander where the money still owed to him is so huge that a deal seems unlikely even if it makes sense.

Kinsler to the Brewers is an A- rumor. It’s easy to believe it could happen, Kinsler is at a point in his career where the Tigers don’t really need to try to hold on to him any longer than they have, and the likelihood feels high given Milwaukee’s needs.

In his interview with The New York Times, Syndergaard says:

So much of what I’ve learned this year, is that I thought I was doing what I needed to be doing. But I realize now how messed up my body was, and I’m working hard to get it back to normal.

That includes doing too much yoga and Pilates, which he says were not exactly sports specific, focusing more on cardio, stretching to become a more well-rounded athlete, and working on his core strength and posture to avoid lower back tightness down the road.

He also qualified the amount of weightlifting he did, with previous estimates stating that he gained 17 pounds in muscle before spring training this year. Syndergaard says he wasn’t powerlifting but that when he was working with weights, certain things were incorrect about his form, especially in his lower body. He needs to build a better base to avoid such time away from the game in the future.

He’s now working with Eric Cressey, who has worked with multiple Cy Young winners before, and doing the Kinstretch program, which is a more athletic advanced yoga that helps with strength and flexibility.

Ottawa will be missing it’s captain when it fights for a playoff spot.

Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson has been ruled out for Thursday’s game against the Bruins with a day to day lower-body injury, coach Guy Boucher announced.

The USA Today report says NHL players will boycott if USA Hockey attempts to use replacement players for the Women’s World Championships, which begin Friday in Plymouth, Mich. The governing body has reportedly been reaching out to potential replacements for several days with little luck.

I don’t know of any player who told USA Hockey, yes, Anya Battaglino, the head of the National Women’s Hockey League Players’ Association, told ESPN.com Friday.

The women’s national team players have been at odds with the governing body for more than a year over compensation and other issues.

The men’s World Championships will be held in France and Germany from May 5-21.

But the latter question is one that will probably go unanswered, because Draisaitl will be handcuffed to McDavid, and head coach Todd McLellan will likely throw away the key, because the success the two have found together makes it clear that it’s at least somewhat of a symbiotic relationship, and Edmonton needs to do whatever it can to put McDavid in a position to succeed, and to keep him happy.

The real trouble and not-so-quiet-anymore question the Oilers will have to answer is how will they flesh out a roster that has committed such a large chunk of its cap space to a relatively small group of players.

Nelly entertained the masses at NHL’s 2017 Winter Classic, but whatever excitement there was for his performance was immediately killed by Bob Costas.

The NBC broadcaster’s introduction of one of St. Louis’ favorite sons went horribly wrong Monday.

First of all, it’s not even hot. This is the Winter Classic. They are playing hockey outside because it is so not-hot in here. It would have at least been tolerable if he said It’s getting cold in here, so keep your clothes on, but even then it wouldn’t be enjoyable to listen to.

Drafting the guy who was the captain of the franchise’s two championship teams in nearly 50 years is a pretty good start. Bobby Clarke (No. 17) had 1,210 points and later helped the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final three times as general manager. They also added Dave Schultz (No. 52) in this draft.

There really is only one option here. Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang from the 2005 draft have been fantastic for the Penguins, but Mario Lemieux is one of the three best players of all time and has probably meant more to the franchise (both during his playing days and after) than any draft pick has in any sport. Doug Bodger (No. 9) also played more than 1,000 games and, most importantly for the Penguins, they fetched goaltender Tom Barrasso in a trade with the Sabres.

Patrick Marleau (No. 2) is the greatest player in franchise history and owns many all-time team records, including games (1,493) and goals (508). Scott Hannan (No. 23) played more than 1,000 games as a sturdy defenseman. Bonus points because while the Sharks didn’t draft Joe Thornton (No. 1), they did steal him from the Bruins in 2005.